Are you struggling to find peace in a world that seems to grow more chaotic by the day?
Do you find yourself caught between anxiety and hope, wondering how to experience the calm that Christ promises?
Today, we’re diving deep into one of Scripture’s most powerful verses about peace – Colossians 3 vs 15 – and discovering how this heavenly reality can transform every aspect of your life.
We bless God as we look into the book of Colossians today; this is one of the Pauline Epistles that deals with Jesus’ finished work.
We’ll be focusing on Colossians 3 vs 15, and understanding some historical context will be incredibly helpful for your spiritual growth.
Understanding the Context: Why Paul Wrote to the Colossians
The book of Ephesians and Colossians were written about the same time, which is why the book of Colossians is fondly called the twin epistles of Ephesians.
But Paul had a specific reason for writing to the Colossian church that directly impacts how we understand this verse about peace.
Colossians deals with the infusion of Gnosticism, philosophy and legalism infiltrating the Gospel of Christ which pointed as danger to their faith.
The believers in Colossae were being bombarded with false teachings that threatened to steal their peace and joy in Christ.
Paul was correcting rules set by Judaizers about food and drink, feast days and circumcision, but Paul corrected this and said in Colossians 2:20 (Amplified): “If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world’s crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world [Why do you submit to rules and regulations? –such as]”
This means the sacrifice of Christ is enough. Following rules and regulations cannot save us from sin, and to truly honor God, you simply have to believe in the riches of Christ’s grace and glory.
Breaking Down Colossians 3 vs 15 Sermon: What This Verse Really Means
Before we explore the deep meaning of Colossians 3 vs 15, let’s look at this powerful scripture in various translations to get the full picture:
Colossians 3:15 (KJV): “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message Translation): “Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the word of Christ – the message have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives – words, actions, whatever be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”
Colossians 3:15-17 (Contemporary English Version): “Each of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.”
The Foundation of Your Peace: You’re Already Justified
Here’s the life-changing truth that Paul wants you to understand: Colossians 3 vs 15 means that since we have been forgiven and declared righteous we have peace with God NOW!
This isn’t a peace you’re working toward – it’s a peace you already possess. Romans 5:1 confirms this reality: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Notice the tense – we HAVE peace, not we will have peace or we might have peace. This is your current reality as a believer in Jesus Christ.
How You Received This Peace: The Blood of the Cross
You might wonder, how did we get this Peace from God?
Ephesians 2:15 reveals the mechanism: “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”
The sacrifice of Christ has bought us Peace.
Colossians 1:20 declares this truth powerfully: “And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
The cross wasn’t just about forgiveness – it was about establishing permanent peace between you and God. Every barrier has been removed, every wall of separation has been torn down.
What It Means to Let Peace “Rule” in Your Heart
When Paul says to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,” he’s using a word that means to act as an umpire or referee.
This peace that we have gotten, we should allow this heavenly reality to rule our hearts and minds because we have NOW become one with God.
Think about it this way: when you’re facing a decision, feeling anxious about circumstances, or dealing with conflict, the peace of Christ should be the deciding factor.
It should be the umpire that calls the shots in your emotional and mental life.
This peace isn’t passive – it’s active. It makes decisions, settles disputes in your heart, and guides your responses to life’s challenges.
Your Unity in the Body of Christ
Paul connects this peace directly to your relationships with other believers.
In 1 Corinthians 6:16-17, we know that he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit, Jesus is in us and us in him, so together the Church makes up the body of Christ.
This means the peace ruling in your heart should naturally extend to your relationships with fellow believers.
You can’t claim to have Christ’s peace while maintaining division, strife, or unforgiveness with other members of His body.
We should allow this Peace extends to all believers and even the unsaved in our environment for our God is a God of peace. Your peace becomes a testimony to the world of God’s reconciling power.
Avoiding the Enemy’s Trap: Living in Strife
Here’s a crucial warning for your spiritual health: One way we can give place to the devil is to live in strife and quarrel, all these should be far from us, we should allow God’s peace extend to everyone in love.
When you choose strife over peace, you’re essentially rejecting the ruling authority of Christ’s peace in your heart.
You’re letting other things – pride, hurt feelings, the need to be right – become the umpire instead of Christ’s peace.
Paul’s Pattern: Grace and Peace
When you look at the letters of Paul he always starts off writing Grace to you and peace from our Father and Lord Jesus Christ as seen in Colossians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, 1 Corinthians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2 and 1 Thessalonians 1:1 etc.
This isn’t just a greeting formula – Paul is establishing the foundation of every Christian’s experience.
Grace and peace aren’t just nice concepts; they’re the bedrock of your relationship with God and your daily Christian living.
This is to show us the importance of Peace, Paul went further to tell us how this Peace can be multiplied which is through Knowledge of the Gospel of Christ.
The more you understand what Christ has accomplished for you, the more peace you’ll experience in your daily life.
The Gratitude Connection: Essential for Maintaining Peace
The Last sentence in Colossians 3 vs 15, says we should be “thankful, grateful or cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving” for we have been called to give thanks always, it is God’s will in Christ Jesus.
This isn’t coincidental – Paul directly connects peace with thanksgiving because gratitude is essential for maintaining the peace of Christ in your heart.
When you focus on what God has done rather than what’s going wrong, peace naturally flows.
But here’s an important distinction: The Bible didn’t say we should give thanks for all things but in all things, the reason the Bible uses in all things is because you are coming out of that situation victorious and we are not fighting for victory but from victory (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
You don’t thank God for tragedy, sickness, or evil – but you can thank Him in the midst of these circumstances because you know the outcome is already secured in Christ.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Thanksgiving
One of the best way to give thanks is to speak in tongues always especially in time of prayer, 1 Corinthians 14:14-17.
When you pray in the Spirit, you’re expressing perfect gratitude that your natural mind might not even comprehend.
This supernatural thanksgiving releases supernatural peace.
Other practical ways to maintain this grateful heart include:
- Daily meditation on God’s goodness and faithfulness
- Verbal declarations of what Christ has accomplished for you
- Worship and praise that focuses on His character rather than your circumstances
- Regular reflection on your spiritual inheritance and position in Christ.
Living as the New Man: The Broader Context
In conclusion, Colossians chapter 3 admonishes us to pay attention to the new man in Christ, that is why verse one says; if ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
The peace of Christ ruling in your heart is part of a completely new way of living. You’re not just trying to manage your old nature better – you’re living from an entirely new identity and nature in Christ.
Your Complete Victory in Christ
Here’s the foundation of your peace: When Christ died, we died with him, when he went to hell, we were with him, when he rose from the dead triumphantly, we also did – this is the inheritance in the saints.
Your peace isn’t based on your circumstances, your performance, or your ability to maintain calm.
It’s based on your complete identification with Christ’s victory. You share in His triumph, His righteousness, and His position before the Father.
How to Let This Peace Rule Your Daily Decisions
In Times of Conflict
When relationships get strained, ask yourself: “What would Christ’s peace have me do here?” Let that peace be the umpire that calls the play, not your emotions or desire to prove you’re right.
In Anxious Moments
When worry tries to take control, remember that you have peace with God through Jesus Christ. The situation may be uncertain, but your relationship with God is absolutely secure.
In Community Relationships
Since you’re part of the body of Christ, the peace ruling in your heart should promote unity, not division. Use this peace as a guide for how you interact with fellow believers.
In Everyday Situations
Let every detail of your life – words, actions, decisions – flow from this place of peace. When peace is your umpire, you’ll find yourself making choices that honor God and bless others.
The Supernatural Nature of This Peace
The peace of Christ is different from worldly peace. Worldly peace depends on favorable circumstances.
Christ’s peace transcends circumstances and actually becomes stronger in difficult times. This is why you can experience profound peace even when everything around you seems to be falling apart.
This peace isn’t something you generate through positive thinking or stress management techniques. It’s a divine reality that flows from your union with Christ and your justified position before God.
Walking in Your Peace Daily
Remember that this peace is not just a theological concept – it’s meant to be your daily experience. You don’t have to fight for peace; you fight from peace.
You don’t have to earn peace; you simply need to let the peace you already possess rule in your heart.
God bless you richly, enjoy your Peace with God, we are one in Christ and remain thankful always. This isn’t just a nice benediction – it’s your spiritual reality and inheritance as a believer.
Today, make the decision to let Christ’s peace rule as the umpire of your heart.
Let it guide your decisions, settle your anxieties, and flow through you to touch every relationship in your life. You have been called to peace, equipped for peace, and empowered to live in peace.
The peace of Christ is your portion, let this message fill you up. Let it rule, and watch how it transforms everything.
My passion lies in reaching out to young adults in communities and schools, witnessing the transformative power of faith in their lives.
This blog extends my ministry, sharing insights, encouraging believers, and exploring Christ's teachings in daily life.
Welcome, Brother James.
- Justification vs Righteousness - September 9, 2025
- What is Justification by Faith? - September 9, 2025
- What does it mean to be strong in the Lord - December 2, 2024